Adrián Fernández raced in the IndyCar series before and after its split with CART, to moderate success. He also raced hard in the ALMS and tried out some NASCAR races too. With experience of many types of motorsport, he switched to management, taking on fellow Mexican Sergio Pérez, as well as stewarding for the FIA during the 2014 F1 season.

Biography

Fernández’s racing career started with motocross, but he soon transitioned to four wheels and took up single seater racing. In the 1980s, he participated in various Formula Ford championships in the UK, and then he moved back to Mexico to secure the 1991 Mexican F3 Championship.

A step up was calling, and Fernández entered the Indy Lights series in1992, securing the rookie of the year award. The following year, he drove in the CART IndyCar series for Galles Racing, driving a handful of races in his first season before being granted a full time drive in 1994. He switched to the Tasman Motorsports team in 1996, taking his first victory that same year. Fernández moved teams several more times and eventually found himself fighting at the sharp end of the championship. In the 2000 season, he finished second, just missing out to Gil de Ferran.

A new challenge awaited the following season, when Adrian set up Fernandez Racing with Tom Anderson. The team won their first race in 2003, and then switched to IndyCar, following the series split, in 2004. However, financing the team proved difficult, and Fernández couldn’t participate in the 2005 season.

He tried his hand at NASCAR and endurance racing, taking a category podium in his first attempt at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Fernández also stepped up to driver management, with a brief stint guiding the career of fellow Mexican Sergio Pérez.